Humankind has been on a quest for truth since time immemorial. Countless individuals have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of this ideal. Many have lived that ideal. But today the quest for truth has become more important than ever before. Humankind stands at a critical juncture in its evolution, a moment which will determine our very survival as a species. The precious Earth on which we live is daily being stripped of resources; technologies that define our modern way of life threaten also to drive us to extinction; religions that promise a better way of life instead lead people to kill one another; and the system dynamics behind it all are so complex that escape seems all but impossible. Yet what if humankind applied collective intelligence and synergistic application of great minds working together on the problems of our time? What is the common denominator, the logical place to begin the conversation? Truth. For if we could arrive at a better understanding of truth, many other things would fall into place. There is only one "truth".
Relative Truth
"In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true." -- Buddha
Relative or conventional truth (samvṛtisatya) defines our perception of reality. While competing interpretations of truth are without number, people can arrive at an agreement of truth -- what is true or real -- through empirical observation and common sense. Yet this level of truth is still limited by the state of mind that apprehends it. Animals perceive one level of truth, humans another level, and enlightened beings yet another.Ultimate Truth
"The characteristic of ultimate truth is the actuality of being free from
the formulations of subject and object. It transcends conceptualization."
-- Klong chen rab 'byams pa
Ultimate truth (paramārthasatya) is realized by means of pure awareness. Because realization of this level of truth entails an understandiing of the very nature of being, which is beyond personal self or projections of reality, it serves as the basis for enlightened activity. Realization of ultimate truth does not then adhere only to the transcendent, as the practice of compassion includes real engagement in the world in order to help others...
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